PM's vow on social media a 'watershed moment'

The father of a boy killed following an online dispute has said the prime minister's vow to take "decisive" action to tackle the impact of social media on UK children is a "watershed moment".

During a meeting at Downing Street on Tuesday, Sir Keir Starmer told families who say their children died as a result of social media use that "it is important that we act and will act".

Among those parents was Stuart Stephens, whose son Olly was 13 when he was stabbed to death in Emmer Green, Reading, in January 2021.

Stuart, who also previously campaigned in favour of the Online Safety Act, said Tuesday's meeting "felt very positive".

"I do believe that this government has an opportunity to draw a line in the sand," he said.

"It was a watershed moment."

The meeting came as the the government's consultation on banning social media for under-16s drew to a close.

Stuart said it marked the "first time that a prime minister has actually sat in a room" with the families.

"He was very tentative, so I do feel that we have made a point," he said.

"We were allowed to be as brutally honest as we wanted to be and we have offered our support moving forward."

He said without the introduction of a potential ban, social media companies "will not listen".

"We can't pick and mix on this... too many children are dying and we don't want to add to our group anymore."

This January marked five years since Olly was ambushed and fatally stabbed in an attack that had been planned on social media and triggered by a dispute in a chat group.

Following his meeting with Sir Keir, Stuart said: "The saddest thing is that he [Olly] will never get to see the love that has come out of losing him.

"He would be, I think, very bemused at me sitting next to the prime minister, but it's because of him that we're doing this, because of the way he was as a person."